An Intercultural Comparison of Family Trends

Overview of how the concept of family is changing with the demands of modern society. This essay will look at two specific areas related to family, the age at which it is considered appropriate to start a family and the role of parents and children within a typical family. Section 1 – The ideal age to start a family Comparison of what age it is considered appropriate to start a family. Analysis of findings – It seems to be more acceptable for a couple to live together for a long period of time out of marriage in Britain. The younger generation in modern society seem to require more time to find a stable career path or even to find their own identity and know what they want to get out of life. Section 2 – The role of parents and children within a family Comparison of family roles inside and outside of the household – In both cultures it seems that women are increasingly pursuing full-time careers and taking responsibility for earning money to support the family, meaning the father must take more responsibility at home and spend more time with the children. Parents in Britain seem to have less influence over their child's choice of university course and career. Analysis of findings – Strong Confucian family values vs post-enlightenment lack of values. Modern technology means children are able to find out about the world without relying completely on parental knowledge and experience. Conclusion Although this essay has only dealt with the issue superficially, it is clear that both the age at which it is considered appropriate to start a family and the roles of the parents and the children within a typical family differ across cultures. People around the world can gain new perspectives on family and help build healthy and fulfilling relationships through an intercultural exchange of ideas.